Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society Assistant Director Karjo Basar highlighted
about the various routes of HIV transmission and its preventive measures. Besides,
he emphasized on the role of each and every individual in creating awareness among
the people about HIV/AIDS to prevent further spread of the virus. He advised youths
to avoid unsafe sexual behavior, tattoos and to keep away themselves from drugs.
He also advised all to maintain cleanliness and good hygienic practice and to accept
the HIV infected person in a comfortable, convenient, and confidential manner.

Altogether, 75 students, youths and elders including Headmaster of Govt. Middle School,
Nyorch and Puroik participated in the Program.

Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) service was also provided during
the programme for those who were willing to under go HIV testing.

RGU employees say goodbye to Section Officer

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: The employees’ association of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) bade
emotional farewell to PK Nandi Mazumdar, Section Officer, in a simple at RGUEA office
building organised by the RGUEA yesterday and wished him best in the next chapter
of his life.

Speaking on the occasion, Registrar of the University Prof. Rachob Taba and Finance
Officer Prof. A Mitra described him as a dedicated officer and wished him all the
best in life and urged others to learn from him.

Both of them also felicitated the retiring officer with gifts as token of love on
behalf of the employees.

Mazumdar, popularly known as “Nandi Babu” served the university for a long 25 years
in various capacities after joining the university on deputation from the department
of Forest, Government of Arunachal Pradesh as an Assistant.

Karya Bagang Parliamentary Secretary Women and Child Development, Social Justice
Empowerment and Tribal Affairs in his message wished good luck to all the meritorious
students.

Er. Achung Bagang, Lama Bagang ZPM, Azad Bagang general secretary BWS, and Hawa Bagang
also spoke on the occasion as resource persons. They encouraged the students to carry
forward the zeal to pursue further success in their academic field. The organizing
chairman, Chapi Bagang lauded members of Bagang clan for making the first ever felicitation
programme successful.

Drugs awareness programme at Seijosa

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: To generate public awareness about ill effects of drugs abuse and
addiction, a drugs awareness programme was jointly organized by Seijosa ADC, GHSS
Seijosa and GSS, Darlong at Sijosa today.

The programme started with an anti-drugs procession by the students. They shouted
slogans like, “Say no to drugs,” “Drugs Lena ek bimari hai, dur raho is bimari se,”
“Ek jaan ek zindegi,” etc. Anti-drug poster reading “Yahan par tiranga, gutka, dendrite
nahi milta hai (tiranga, gutka, dendrite are not available here) were also distributed
among the shopkeepers. General public and some Panchayat leaders also joined the
procession and took active part in the sloganeering.

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Nabam Rebia has
inspected roads and bridges from Bage Tinali to Doimukh, Doimukh to RGU, RGU to
Gumto and also inspected Karsingsa road today. He was accompanied by Tai Kaye DC,
G.Padu EE PWD, Councillor and officers and officials during his visit.

Rebia, who is also Doimukh MLA, called for corrective measures to improve the road
condition and urged upon the concerned department to give priority on road maintenance.

While citing the recent heavy down pour which caused extensive damage to roads in
several points, the EE, ( PWD) informed the Speaker that road between Bage Tinali
to RGU is better by and large but maintenance and repairing needed at many points.
He further informed that renovation and road maintenance works are being carried
out with available resources despite obstacles.

It is worth mentioning that the students of Rajiv Gandhi University had took out
a rally in protest against pathetic road conditions recently. DIPRO

AOA for up-gradation of SLSA to higher secondary level

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: The Arunachal Olympic Association (AOA) in a meeting adopted resolution
to urge the state government to up-grade Sangey Laden Sports Academy to Higher Secondary
level to harness the maximum potential of the athletes.

The meeting chaired by AOA president Padi Richo stressed the need for construction
of indoor/outdoor stadiums in every district and creation of more coaches’ posts
and adopted resolutions in this regards for onward submission to the authority concerned
for early materialization of the same.

The meeting appreciated the State Government for initiating the construction of Mini-Stadium
in four districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

AAPKGBVTA meets education minister

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Raising its voice against injustice being meted out to the assistant
teachers of KGBV, a team of All Arunachal Pradesh Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya
Teacher’s Association (AAPKGBVTA) on August 29 last met with the education minister
Tapang Taloh. Their salaries are being reduced to Rs 5000 from Rs 7,200 a month.
It claimed that the education minister has assured of fulfilling their demands.

Its other demands include equal payment as JT and phase wise regularization among
others.

Areeza Likha wins state level Science seminar

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Areeza Likha of class X, VKV Nivedita Vihar, East Kameng became
the winner of the state level Science seminar on the topic ‘Innovations in Agriculture
for a sustainable future -- its prospectus and challenges’ conducted at the auditorium
hall of DN College here today. It was organized by the directorate of secondary education,
GoAP.

Nani Lucy Buni of Class X, VKV Ziro came second and Misinam Mize of Class IX, VKV
Jirdin and Sunita Sharma of Class X, Roopland Public School, Rupa, stood third in
the seminar.

Speaking on the occasion, parliamentary secretary, education, Bamang Felix while
appreciating the DSE for conducting the programme suggested them to organize more
such programmes.

Social service conducted

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: About 200 people participated in the social service organized at
New Police Colony, Naharlagun yesterday by the New Police Colony Welfare Society
Naharlagun (NPCWSN). During the drive, garbage pile ups and drains were cleared and
damaged roads were repaired.

PMSAA demands creation of posts

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: NRHM–Programme Management Staffs Association of Arunachal Pradesh
(PMSAA), in its first conference today discussed various issues and grievances of
the employees and demanded the state government to create and sanction posts for
Programme Management Staff to absorb all the contractual employees.

The association in a release informed that the Union Ministry of Health & Family
Welfare had written to the state governments that the states should absorb all the
contractual employees by creating regular posts within the next five years. But,
the State Government has not yet taken any initiative for regularization of the programme
management staff of the state.

The association appealed the appropriate authority to initiate necessary steps for
enhancement of salaries which is a long pending demand of the NRHM staff in the State.

“The salary paid to the staff employed in Arunachal Pradesh is too meager as compared
to employees of other states,” the association claimed.

The organization demanded grant of Earned Leave and Medical Leave to all staff, including
technical and non-technical, apart from casual and maternity leaves, to consider
payment of all staff salaries through state treasuries.

Further, it demanded the Mission Director (NHM) for fixation of salaries of staff
on the basis of seniority and appealed to the MD to consider appointment/assignment
of a HR Manager to look after the welfare of 297 programme management staff (Non-Technical)
working under National Health Mission (earlier Known as National Rural Health Mission).

Altogether, 135 participants from different categories of staff like State Finance
Manager, State Accounts Manager, Consultant (HMIS), State Data Manager, District
Programme Manager, District Accounts Manager, District Data Manager, Computer Assistant,
Block Accounts Manager, Block Data Manager and Data Assistant were present in the
meeting.

Education Minister lashes his department over mass diversion of teachers

Total ban on deputation of teachers to non-teaching jobs

A/Times News Impact

[ Amar Sangno ]

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Bruised and battered by the criticisms after this daily exposed
mass diversion of teachers into non-teaching posts of BEO, BRC, CRC, APO and DPC,
infuriated Education Minister Tapang Taloh cracked the whip on his own department
directing no further appointment of BEO/APO/ Coordinator/BRC/CRC and district programe
coordinator etc.

This daily in its 27th August edition had exposed the double standard of the education
department as it had appointed more than 140 Block Education Officer (BEO) erstwhile
Assistant District Education Officer (ADEO), against actual sanctioned post of 32
BEOs.

Barely 24 hours after the publication of news report, Education Minister in his letter
U/o No. Min/Edn/21/14/94 issued on Thursday to the Parliamentary Secretary, Secretary,
Director of both secondary and elementary education, state project director SSA Rajya
Mission instructed to call back all the subject teachers who have been engaged in
various flagship programmes under SSA, RMSA and SBM and to post them in the schools
where there is shortage of subject teachers.

Admitting that acute shortage of teachers in various schools particularly that of
remote areas has made the education scenario grim across the state, Taloh said, “Every
day I am receiving demands for posting of teachers from Hon’ble Ministers, Parliamentary
Secretaries, MLAs Panchayat leaders, senior citizens, NGOs and student communities
at their respective constituencies.” He also made revelation that there is a growing
tendency among a section of teaching fraternity to absorb themselves in non-teaching
job like BEO,APO,BRP, CRC,DPC etc. adding that already there are excess number of
BEOs against limited sanctioned posts.

Irked over the growing tendency of teaching community to escape from their prime
duty in search of easier and leisure jobs, Taloh gave direction to the Secretary
Education and Directors (both Secondary and Elementary) to call back teachers posted
on deputation or attached with various offices like Residential Commissioner New
Delhi, Deputy Residential Commissioner offices in different locations, or else department
concerned may be asked to absorb the respective staffs in the establishment.

Taloh’s strong worded letter has a hammer blow to those teachers who are on deputation
or attached with non-teaching departments. He also directed that for sponsored B.Ed
course government approval should invariably be obtained. Setting strict leave criteria,
the Minister further said that Child Care Leave beyond one month should be granted
only after obtaining government approval.

He also imposed total ban on deputation of teachers to non-teaching jobs or other
departments. Later Taloh directed the secretary education to instruct all DDSEs not
to appoint any coordinators for BRC/CRC at district level. Failing to comply with
the directives may invite stringent action, he added.

Chairing a meeting at Banquet here yesterday to review centrally sponsored Rural
Development programmes in Arunachal Pradesh, Tuki reiterated that the scheme of IWMP
is meant for poverty alleviation and emphasis should be given for creating durable
assets in rural areas. He suggested to obtain certificate from the respective Deputy
Commissioners to avoid any duplicity of the scheme before placing them to the screening
committee for approval. He also directed the department to monitor the project at
state level at regular interval to ensure proper implementation.

The Chief Minister also asked to submit the evaluation report of the project entrusted
to SIRD for the ongoing IWMP projects to the concern department well in advance to
avoid any further delay in release of central share.

Earlier, M Ronya, Technical Expert, SNLA, explained in details on progress of IWMP
project implemented in Arunachal Pradesh through PowerPoint. Parliamentary Secretary
(RD) Punji Mara advised the department to implement the programmes properly. He suggested
for timely submission of Utilization Certificate (UC) for releasing of state share
so as to get the Central share on time.

RD Department Director T. Dakpe while highlighting the objective of the meeting urged
the Chief Minister to provide additional fund under DRDA Administration to meet up
the DRDA staff salary.

The meeting was also attended by Kumsi Sidisow, Parliamentary Secretary (PHE).

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Taking a very serious note on frequent disruption of road communication
from Banderdewa to Itanagar via Karsingsa due to landslide, erosion, washing away
of road and culverts etc at sinking zone near Karsingsa every year during monsoon,
the panchayat, student and youth leaders of Banderdewa-Karsingsa area have appealed
to the Chief Minister to permanently solve the recurring communication problem.

Describing the hardship faced by the people, particularly patients, students, office
goers and business community due to communication snaps at block-point, the Banderdewa
ZPM, Anchal Chairperson, Karsingsa ASM, GPMs of Banderdewa and Karsingsa, presidents
and general secretaries of ABCSU, BKYWA, in a memorandum, have urged the chief minister
to take anti-erosion measure by constructing flood protection wall to protect the
block-point from erosion of Dikrong River. If constructed, the anti-erosion or flood
protection wall will not only protect soil erosion at block-point but also save the
Karsingsa village, they said in a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister.

It is a fact which nobody can deny that road communication from Banderdewa to Itanagar
via Karsingsa frequently gets disrupted during monsoon every year. The government
had poured out lots of money in the name of restoration works at sinking zone in
the past many years; but in vain.

Since road blockage at sinking zone has been a regular phenomenon occurring every
year during monsoon, an anti-erosion measure will be the only solution to this recurring
problem, they said.

While urging the Chief Minister for placing sufficient fund not less than Rs. five
crore for maintenance and repairing works at block-point and separate fund for maintenance/repair
of road near Banderdewa Police Station, they suggested the Chief Minister to instruct
the department concerned to carry out repairing or maintenance work in winter instead
of rainy season to ensure quality and durability.

Road communication through NH-52A from Banderdewa to Itanagar via Karsingsa continued
to remain closed since August 15.

The Panchayat leaders of both Banderdewa and Karsingsa have also re-iterated their
demand for de-reservation of 75th Karsingsa Panchayat and 76th Banderdewa Panchayat
Segment from Drupong Reserved Forest under Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional
Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and Scheduled Tribes and
other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Rule 2007.

Inter-state boundary meeting resolves to maintain peace

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: Following the directives of the Union Home Ministry to maintain
status-quo, peace and tranquility in boundary area, a Deputy Commissioner level inter-state
boundary meeting was held at Biswanath Charali, Assam today. The meeting was attended
by DCs and SPs of Udalguri, Sonitpur, West Kameng, East Kameng and Papum Pare districts.

The main agenda of discussion were to uphold present status in the Assam-Arunachal
boundary areas, conduct joint patrolling by Assam and Arunachal Magistrates and
Police in the boundary areas, restrain eviction drive in alleged reserve forests
till Supreme Court verdict and Boundary Commission report, sharing of inter-state
insurgency problem and intelligence sharing.

Apart from this, the meeting held discussion on information sharing, constitution
of peace committees where not constituted, provocative report on border issues by
Assam local news channels, frequent road blockage during Assam bandhs, confidence
building measures in the border areas and exchange of sports and cultural events
etc.

After elaborate discussion, the DCs present both from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
reiterated their commitment to maintain peace and tranquility in the boundary areas
involving local people from both sides of the states. From Papum Pare district Deputy
Commissioner Tai Kaye and SP P N Khrimey attended the meeting.

The next inter-state border meeting will be held on October at Yupia, Papum Pare.

Earlier, similar DC level meeting was held at North Lakhimpur Assam recently in which
DCs and SPs from Papum Pare, Lower Subansiri, North Lakhimpur and DC Capital, Itanagar
attended the meeting. DIPRO

‘Panchayat leaders have no objection to Doimukh hydel project’

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: The ASM of Chiputa Panchayat and Rose Gram Panchayat Chairperson,
on behalf of the land affected people of the upcoming Doimukh Hydro-electric Project
said that as of today, they did have any objection to the signing of the MoA between
SJVN Limited and the state government for execution of the said hydel project.

“lt is given to understand that the company will prepare Detailed Project Report
(DPR) which will take around two years. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment
will also be done in the meantime. The ESIA will cover all the impacts of the project
affected areas including the problems of the downstream villages,” they said in a
release.

“If the Company finds the DPR to be viable, then there will be a Public Hearing,
where all the objections and points of the people can be raised and such objections
will be recorded and the public and the land affected villages can stop the project
on merit at that stage.” Hence, it will be premature on our part to object the signing
of MoA and preparation of DPR at this stage, the release said and requested the SJVN
Limited to prepare the DPR taking into account the problems of the downstream as
well as the affected people.

BJP flays Govt on law and order

ITANAGAR, Aug 30: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh unit today
vehemently criticized the ruling Congress Govt for deteriorating law and order situation
in the state.

Pointing out the kidnapping of prominent businessman K P Chako, sexual assault on
minors and recent broad daylight bank robbery, the BJP unit said that the increasing
criminal activities in the state has exposed the failure of the state Govt to contain
law and order. Rising crimes in the state proved that measures being announced by
the home department to check and control law and order every after criminal activities
are just an eye wash, state BJP said adding the citizens are not safe and secured
under the ruling Congress Government in the state.

Condemning the kidnapping of the prominent trader K P Chako, the party urged the
state Govt to immediately locate whereabouts of the businessman and rescue him
from the clutches of the kidnappers. According to source, Chako who was kidnapped
at gun point on Thursday evening is still untraceable.

River erosion threatens existence of Poba Reserve Forest

Correspondent

RUKSIN, Aug 30: Massive erosion along the Sille River has threatened the existence
of the Poba Reserve Forest at the outskirt of Ruksin town. The Poba Reserve Forest
is shrinking gradually due to Sille river bank erosion, but the authority has not
taken any anti-erosion measures so far to save the forest cover. The river water
has also been eroding Government land in Industrial growth Centre at Niglok portion.

The river, which is flowing down from Ledum hill site, creates flood havoc in the
area during monsoon every year. Strong current of the river is constantly eroding
forest cover of Poba RF on its left bank, while it washed away several hectare of
fertile crop land on right side of the river.

Surging water of the river has already eroded a large portion of Poba RF at Baromile
beat area and washed away many standing trees this monsoon. The forest department,
despite observing the growing trend of destruction, is yet to take step to control
the erosion menace. The officials are reportedly doing nothing to collect the drip
-wood timber from the river bed as the department has not granted fund for timber
operation.

It is alleged that despite observing the destructive trend, neither the Water Resource
nor the Forest Department has initiated any anti-erosion measure to control river
erosion. The local people said that they have submitted anti-erosion scheme, but
the government has not accorded sanction of their schemes yet. The river has gripped
several hectares of forest land during the last five years, they said.

Forest officials here have said that the department is running under severe fund
crunch for the years. No fund has been granted under Flood Damage Repairing and other
afforestation projects. Moreover, the department has no fund for operation of vehicles
and conducting field programme. Even, the foresters are not given arms and other
necessary items for conducting patrolling inside the RF.

On the other hand, constant erosion posed by mighty Siang river is also reducing
forest cover in the RF day by day, but no anti-erosion measure has been taken by
the authority so far. There is report of movement of timber smugglers in the area,
but the foresters deputed to guard the RF are not equipped with arms, communication
facility and patrolling boat to deal with the illegal activists.

Some public leaders of Ruksin area have expressed concern over the pathetic condition
of the forest department and demanded the state’s Chief Minister to take up the forest
protection issue on priority.

Course Director Nabam Tata highlighted the main aims and objective of the programme
which aims to create mass awareness about the importance of protection, preservation
and promotion of Nyishi indigenous faith, culture and traditions for identity and
posterity as well.

Attending programme yesterday, Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal
Pradesh (IFCSAP) president cum Chief Commissioner, State Information Commission Y.D
Thongchi explained and stressed the need for preservation and protection indigenous
faith and culture and promotion of its own traditional indigenous system of prayer.
He released Nyetam (Dwrnam)--a book on hymns on death ritual (ceremony) the faith
and traditional belief / concept of Nyishis on ritual system by Nabam Tata.

Around 110 participants from various districts are attending the training.

NAHARLAGUN, Aug 30: The review meeting of Papum Pare District Health Society (RNTCP)
was held here at Seminar Hall of Arunachal State Hospital, Naharlagun today.

Swami Vishveshananda, Secretary of R K Mission Hospital Itanagar, who presided over
the meeting, called for proper streamlining of TB notification by private practitioner
and proper sensitization of doctors on the need for regular feedback. On request
of the DTOs, he assured to conduct sensitization programme on TB for doctors and
nurses. It will be helpful for doctors and nurses to streamline the TB programme.

District Medical Officer, Yupia D Ronya also emphasized on proper streamlining of
RNTCP programme in the district and block-wise segregation of TB detection case
to find out the actual prevalence report.

Presenting the quarterly performance report of RNTCP Papum Pare through power point
presentation Dr. P D Thongchi, District Tuberculosis Officer informed that the performance
of RNTCP has been satisfactory but due to lack of fund IEC programmes could not
be carried out which is very essential part of RNTCP.

He also said that though repeated notification have been issued to concern private
practitioners, but their response is very poor whereas as per Govt of India guidelines
it is mandatory on the part of private practitioners to report Govt on all detected
or diagnosed TB patients. He also pointed that feedback from ICTC on TB/HIV cases
has been discouraging and need proper co-ordination. He requested DDSE to give necessary
permission to conduct RNTCP programme in schools.

Medical Officer TC Dr. Hage Tayo said that TB cases are rising day by day and more
awareness need to be created on importance of DOTs in curing TB. Dr R D Khrimey,
Chief Medical Superintendent cum Vice Chairman RNTCP, Arunachal State Hospital, Naharlagun,
other senior doctors and staffs were present on the occasion. DIPRO

Lower Dibang Valley district level badminton championship begins

Correspondent

ROING, Aug 30: The District Level Badminton Championship began at PWD Club here on
Thursday with top shuttlers from the district competing for top position in team
and singles events.

Organized by the Lower Dibang Valley Badminton Association, the championship is being
held to greet the arrival of Kemeha - a popular harvest festival of Mishmi tribe.
The festival will be celebrated on September 23 next.

The championship was inaugurated by Rajneesh Gupta, Superintendent of Police, Roing
as the Chief Guest and Sipi Elapra, Zilla Parishad Chairperson as the Guest of Honour.
The inaugural programme was attended by dignitaries that included Mukut Mithi, Rajya
Sabha MP.

More than 30 shuttlers are participating in the championship organized under the
auspices of District Olympic Association, Miuli Motors and Dibang Enterprises, held
in the category of men and women.

Addressing the gathering, Gupta exhorted the participants to show their talent to
bring laurel to the district. He encouraged more such games and sports events to
be organized in the district.

According to Chiliko Meto, President, District Badminton Association, the winner
in the championship will represent Lower Dibang Valley in the second Dorjee Khandu
Memorial State Championship to be held in the month of September.